Hi! We accidentally forgot to publish a new volume for several weeks (months, tbh). But we’re back and we’re apologetic and we’re ready to atone for our transgressions.
In Happy Medium Club: Volume 27, we’re talking about…
Chokehold albums!
Conversations with coworkers!
Baseball!
LOOKING BACK ON MUSIC THAT CONTROLLED MY BRAIN
Joel Moisa
Stick Season by Noah Kahan
Few albums will compare to the chokehold that Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season” had on my life. In late 2023, I heard Olivia Rodrigo’s cover of Stick Season and was impressed by the song. A quick Google search led me to Noah Kahan who was trending towards superstardom.
Naturally, I overplayed “Stick Season.” Then, I found “Dial Drunk” which features my friend Post Malone — it’s a certified banger, no questions asked. Suddenly, Noah and “Stick Season” took over my life. It’s September and I’m still impressed by the album and its three re-releases.
Stick Season is like the pop version of Midwest emo. If you haven’t given it a spin, I beg you, please do so.
Coloring Book by Chance the Rapper
I loved this album. The range it had… from songs like “Mixtape,” “Juke Jam,” and “How Great”…it’s wild to think that it’s only a mixtape.
Purpose by Justin Bieber
This one is super random, but I really liked this album. For me, it had all the elements of a moody pop album. More importantly, it cemented Justin’s significance to the music industry, especially for younger audiences.
SOS by SZA
I mean… this album held the entire world hostage. I ain’t special, and Samantha really begged me to stop playing it so I wouldn’t ruin it for her.
![Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball [GB] - IGN](https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!KzCx!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9c32049d-1be1-42b5-ba30-86acb34dbf5c_1024x1024.jpeg "Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball [GB] - IGN")
MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
“Help me start my anime-style origin story as a baseball fan.”
Joel Moisa
Despite growing up playing MLB console games, I've always been an active Major-League-Baseball-Hater. The game moves too slowly, each season has way too many games, and there are so many advanced stats, that it's hard to keep track of everything. What the heck is a “WAR”?
Every year in October, as the MLB playoffs begin, the games become more significant, sports channels hum with playoff talk, and I think to myself: “Man, I should have followed baseball this year.” (Only to get sad when the Los Angeles Dodgers lose in the National League Division Series.)
This year, I've taken steps to familiarize myself with the sport. With the power of my YouTube algorithm, I’ve been exposed to an endless supply of LA Dogdger game recaps and other MLB content.
Observations so far:
It feels like MLB teams play two different three-game series in a single week.
I'm familiar with the team's big three stars Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw, and the legend in the making Shohei Ohtani.
But now, I'm learning about the role players and the players on other teams.
Looking ahead
I'm trying to level up from Noob to the casual fan without sitting through the fruitless innings. I ask you, the listener, to keep me accountable. Bully me to the point where I cry because of how unfamiliar I am with baseball. Help kickstart my anime-style origin story as a baseball fan.
CONVERSATIONS WITH COWORKERS
“Bruce Willis. Andy Samberg.”
Dom Johnson
I’ve been working the overnight shift at UPS for a while and I’ve made some solid friends so far.
Without further ado, I’d like to introduce you to some of them. I changed their names because they asked me to, which is RUDE but whatever.
BETSY BENNINGTON
Betsy enjoys puzzling flavor combinations. Highlights include Doritos and orange juice, Twix and Lays Potato Chips, and [redacted] & [redacted]. She is notably kind, and very wholesome, yet reads the scariest books you could imagine. Picture your nicest friend rambling about haunted houses.
A quick Q&A with Betsy:
Dom: What’s your hype song?
Betsy: I don’t have one. What’s yours?
Dom *sings*: “All the time… I’m grateful all the time… I’m sexy and I’m kind… I’m pretty when I cry.”
Betsy: Oh gosh.
Dom: Favorite cereal?
Betsy: Frosted Flakes.
TOM McROKETSON JR
Tom McRocketson Jr. is technically a former coworker since he recently got a new job. But, in spirit, he’ll always be a coworker because it takes a lot of work to be his friend. His favorite color is British Racing Green, he’s a Cancer, he’s grumpy with a heart of gold, and his job has something to do with airplanes or helicopters.
A quick Q&A with Tom…
Dom: Why do you like airplanes?
Tom: I like sht that flies.
Dom: Explain airplane engines in three sentences.
Tom: No.
Dom: Favorite airplane? Least favorite airplane?
Tom: Bruce Willis. Andy Samberg.
Dom: Best looking airplane? Worst looking airplane?
Tom: Jennifer Lopez. [Redacted]
Dom: Cool airplane that doesn’t exist yet but will exist soon?
Tom: The return of Christ.
Dom: Say something else about airplanes.
Eat your oatmeal.
Dom: Rank our friendship on a scale of 1-10.
Tom: Negative 2 for making me do this.
Dom: Give Dom unsolicited advice.
Tom: Toasters make toast, so have lemonade.
Dom: Anything you’d like to say to the HMC community?
Tom: [Redacted]
GAYLE THORTON
A quick Q&A with Gayle:
Gayle Thornton is hard to describe. One time, she called me and immediately yelled: “HELP I’VE FALLEN AND I CAN’T GET UP?” In a panic, I responded: “Oh my goodness! Are you being serious!?”
And she said, “Nope! Can you bring me some potato chips when you get back?”
I asked her a few questions.
Dom: Favorite thing about me?
Gayle: Don’t have one.
Dom: Least favorite thing about me?
Gayle: Don’t have one.
Dom: On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you care about me?
Gayle: Probably a 10.2.
Dom: Hype Song?
Gayle: “Golden Time” by Franky Beverly
Dom: Are you mad at me?
Gayle: No.
Dom: Favorite breakfast snack?
Gayle: Wieners in a bun.
Dom: That’s not what they’re called.
Gayle: Yes, it is.
MACKIE JONES
Mack Jones is better than the rest of us. Unfortunately, he refused to answer any of my questions.
In conclusion
My coworkers are incredibly patient and I need to practice leaving them alone HAHAHAHA.
That’s it for today, mates!
Seeya later, navigators! Thanks for reading! We missed you! Don’t be mad at us or going dark! We love you! We like you!
